Hinge assembly for foldable electronic device

Abstract

An exemplary hinge assembly includes a sleeve, a first member, a second member, and a resilient member. The sleeve includes a first end defining an opening. The first member is received in the sleeve. The second member is located next to the first member. One of the first member and the second member have a cam, the other of the first member and second member have a cam follower interacting with the cam so that the first member rotates about an axis and the second member moves linearly along the axis when the cam follower follows the cam. The resilient member is fitted in the sleeve and provides an elastic force to bias the first member and the second member into contact with each other. The first end is deformed to form a narrowed portion to reduce the opening. The narrowed portion retains the first member, the second member, and the resilient member in the sleeve and prevents the first member, the second member, and the resilient member from escaping the sleeve through the opening.

1 . A hinge assembly comprising:
 a sleeve comprising a first end defining an opening;   a first member received in the sleeve;   a second member located next to the first member, one of the first member and the second member having a cam, the other of the first member and the second member having a cam follower interacting with the cam so that the first member rotates about an axis and the second member moves linearly along the axis when the cam follower follows the cam; and   a resilient member being fitted in the sleeve and providing an elastic force to bias the first member and the second member into contact with each other;   wherein the first end is deformed to form a narrowed portion to reduce size of the opening, the narrowed portion retaining the first member, the second member, and the resilient member in the sleeve and preventing the first member, the second member, and the resilient member from escaping the sleeve through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the first end that is deformed to form the narrowed portion is a rim of the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the narrowed portion tapers at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the sleeve wall. 
     
     
         4 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the narrowed portion is substantially perpendicular to the sleeve wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the narrowed portion tapers at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the sleeve wall and a portion of the narrowed portion is substantially perpendicular to the sleeve wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a second end opposite to the first end, the second end is a completely closed end, and the resilient member abuts against the completely closed end. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first member includes a head portion and the cam, the head portion exposed from the first end, and the narrowed portion abut against the head portion of the cam. 
     
     
         8 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a second end opposite to the first end, the second end is a partially closed end, and one end of the resilient member faces the open end. 
     
     
         9 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first member includes a head portion and the cam, and the head portion is exposed from the partially closed end. 
     
     
         10 . A hinge assembly comprising:
 a first member rotatable about an axis;   a second member located next to the first member, the second member linearly movable along the axis;   a resilient member locating next to the second member and providing an elastic force to bias the first member and the second member into contact with each other;   a sleeve enclosing the first member, the second member, and the resilient member along the axis, the sleeve including a sleeve wall defining a receiving cavity;   wherein a narrowed portion is formed by inwardly deforming the sleeve wall to shorten the receiving cavity for preventing the first member, second member, and resilient members from escaping the sleeve.   
     
     
         11 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the narrowed portion is substantially conical-shaped, and is oriented at an angle relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the narrowed portion is substantially perpendicular to the sleeve wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a portion of the narrowed portion tapers at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the sleeve wall and a portion of the narrowed portion is substantially perpendicular to the sleeve wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve includes a second end opposite to the first end, the second end is a completely closed end, and the resilient member abuts against the completely closed end. 
     
     
         15 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first member includes a head portion and the cam, the head portion exposed from the first end, and the narrowed portion abut against the cam. 
     
     
         16 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve includes a second end opposite to the first end, the second end is a partially closed end, and one end of the resilient member faces the open end. 
     
     
         17 . The hinge assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the first member includes a head portion and the cam, and the head portion exposed from the partially closed end. 
     
     
         18 . A method for assembling a hinge assembly comprising:
 providing a sleeve with a sleeve wall defining a receiving cavity and a first end having a rim, a first member, a second member and a resilient member;   receiving the first member, the second member and the resilient member in the receiving cavity of the sleeve through the first end;   deforming the rim of the first end to form the narrowed portion to retain the first member, the second member, and the resilient member in the sleeve.